by Pastor Simon

Ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

James 4:2-3 - KJV.

I am amazed how often I still find myself "having not because I didn't ask". So I stop to ask and think to myself, "Why did I push on with this without asking God for help in the first place?" To which another thought replies, "Maybe because on the inside you were hoping you could get by without His help and then be able to give yourself all the praise!"

Man's flesh seeks something to boast in. This weakness can even show up when you do ask. It happens like this; you ask on your own merits - who you are and what you've done. Your flesh wants an opportunity to boast, "Look what I - myself, on my merits - obtained for me!" You get nothing this way. The only way to ask is in the name of Jesus then you're asking on the basis of His merits: who He is and what He's done for you!

Copyright © 1998 P.F.(Simon)Measures